April is National Autism Awareness Month

Monday

Apr 7, 2014 at 6:40 PM

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), categorized as a developmental disability known to cause social, communication and behavioral challenges, can sometimes be detected at age 18 months or younger. Yet, in the absence of symptom awareness and subsequent diagnosis, children with ASD may not receive the early intervention treatment services available to help improve their development.The inability to babble, coo, to point, wave or grasp by the age of 12 months is considered a potential indicator of ASD, as is the failure to utter single words at 16 months or two word phrases independently by 24 months, according to the Autism Society.Behaviors in children and adults that should warrant further evaluation include: Not looking at objects when another person points to them Avoiding eye contact Strong and constant desire to be alone Difficulty in understanding others feelings Difficulty in talking about their own feelings Having interest in others, but lacking the ability to talk or play with them Repetition of actions Difficulty adapting to changes in normal routine Unusual reactions to certain scents, tastes or soundsDiagnosis of ASD can be challenging as there are no specific tests that can be administered; as such, medical professionals must rely on behavioral and developmental indications.For more information about autism spectrum disorder, visit www.autism-society.org

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), categorized as a developmental disability known to cause social, communication and behavioral challenges, can sometimes be detected at age 18 months or younger. Yet, in the absence of symptom awareness and subsequent diagnosis, children with ASD may not receive the early intervention treatment services available to help improve their development.
The inability to babble, coo, to point, wave or grasp by the age of 12 months is considered a potential indicator of ASD, as is the failure to utter single words at 16 months or two word phrases independently by 24 months, according to the Autism Society.
Behaviors in children and adults that should warrant further evaluation include:
 Not looking at objects when another person points to them
 Avoiding eye contact
 Strong and constant desire to be alone
 Difficulty in understanding others feelings
 Difficulty in talking about their own feelings
 Having interest in others, but lacking the ability to talk or play with them
 Repetition of actions
 Difficulty adapting to changes in normal routine
 Unusual reactions to certain scents, tastes or sounds
Diagnosis of ASD can be challenging as there are no specific tests that can be administered; as such, medical professionals must rely on behavioral and developmental indications.
For more information about autism spectrum disorder, visit www.autism-society.org

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